This thesis show how the urban ruin Kymlinge subway station, with the surrounding urban wildscape, can be designed to highlight the identity and the sublime character of the site, as well as increase the accessibility to nature in a growing city. With the premise that the station opens, we also aim to emphasize the importance of providing varied experiences in the city and show one possible future scenario for Kymlinge.

In today’s era of city growth, green areas are decreasing. Roads and other infrastructure create barriers that makes the perceived access to nature less than the actual supply. Outdoor habits differ between groups in society where, for instance, city dwellers tend to visit nature less than rural residents. Lack of time, access and transportation possibilities are some of the main obstructing factors for outdoor life.

The urban wildscape plays a special role as a complement to city parks and well maintained gardens since it can provide other qualities and experiences. The wildscape can evoke a stronger connection to nature, an understanding of natural processes and also work as a stress reducing escape in everyday life. The wilderness has for a long time been associated with solitude and fear, but after the romantic period the sense of the sublime – a term that stands for reverence and dedication, with certain elements of fear – came to be used to describe the experience of wilderness. The sublime is used in this thesis to describe the ambivalent feeling of fascination and fear than can be evoked by an abandoned and wild place.

Kymlinge subway station is located in the municipality of Sundbyberg, along the subway line towards Akalla. The station has been abandoned since it was built in the 1970’s and is still a current topic among politicians, planners and developers as well as for the general public in internet forums and newspapers.

In this thesis we present the site specific and historical conditions. Also, we analyse four reference projects, which were used in the discussions about our guidelines and our vision for the design of Kymlinge. Using Density Walks, we gained a more deeply understanding of the charachterisics and experiences of the site. The method results in four visualizations of our sensible experiences. To generate ideas we used the method What if? to help us think beyond our deep rooted way of thinking when designing. Sketching by hand and in model was an ongoing method throughout the process.

With the concept Admittance allowed, reffering to everyone’s right to varied experiences in the city, we are adding seven additions to the abandoned subway station in Kymlinge and its vicinity. The proposal aims to enhance the site specific qualities and highlight its values. Over all, our aim is to show alternative ideas for the development Kymlinge that has been given little attention in the public discussion.